{finding happiness in the little things + my new fave green dress}

Green Dress (small) // Sand Dollar Earrings // Steve Madden Sandals (go up 1/2 size) //

Topshop Purse // Ray-Ban Sunglasses

Photography by Lauren Middledorf

Green Dress (small) // Sand Dollar Earrings // Steve Madden Sandals (go up 1/2 size) // Topshop Purse // Ray-Ban Sunglasses

I've talked about finding happiness in the little things a lot. I'm no stranger to getting in funks and not being able to pull myself out of it right away. I can't simply snap my fingers and make myself happy again (can anyone though?) - life just doesn't work like that. I can wind up festering on one thing until I fully think it through and come to a conclusion. The problem with that is sometimes it will take days and it's a huge distraction that causes me to be unable to focus on anything else...

Sound familiar?

Yeah, I know I'm not alone! I very easily let other people's emotions and thoughts influence me. So if I'm unhappy at work, for example, and a coworker is feeling the same way and shares those thoughts with me I begin to go in a downward spiral. This happens quickly to me because I'm a very optimistic person. Sounds like an oxymoron doesn't it? An optimistic person that gets dragged down with pessimism. A negative attitude or thoughts weighs on me heavier than it does for others. Because I attempt to see the best in everything when someone points out a negative it's almost a "glass shattering moment" for me. It's kind of like someone taking off your rose colored glasses ha. I feel emotions very deeply - so when someone announces a pregnancy, engagement, exciting news, etc I feel absolutely elated! If it's sad news like a death or breakup my empathy takes full control of my heart and mind.

I've learned this more and more about myself in the last 3 years. Perhaps it was recognizing how my actions had an effect on others and being forced to take an inward look at myself after a bad breakup, moving into a solo apartment, dating in DC, and then ultimately losing my dad. It was a cumulation of events that makes you look at life differently! For awhile I started writing 3 things that made me smile every morning, then I began to have a one word goal for the week (like endurance, joy, or patience), and I would also have a quote that I wanted to embody by the end of the day/month/week. All of these tasks helped me succeed and keep my happiness up but it was just that... a task. I had to carve out time to do it and really think about what I wanted to focus on and choose. Would I do it again? Yes. I still occasionally write down 3 things that make me smile if it's something unique and random.

But more recently I've begun to find happiness in the little things, in the things that already exist and make up my life. Instead of seeking something out I let it come to me. It makes me appreciate a giving quality in a stranger, or a puppy that I passed on the street, or someones IG story that made me laugh really hard on my commute home. I don't sit down and force myself to say why I'm happy - I glance around for it and it finds me. I think this has caused a domino effect in me because I'm able to recognize the happiness faster and in return I can be pulled out of a funk more quickly.

It sounds silly but this green dress is one of those happy things... I wore it to work on a Friday and got so many compliments that I wore it again on Sunday to drinks with friends. I didn't care that I'd worn it two days earlier. It made me happy and I felt good about myself :) I'm a sucker for green and a dress that I can spin and dance in! That's one of the little things that will always make me happy!

Love Always,

{how to transition a spring dress into the fall}

Simply Dresses Red Dress c/o // J.Crew Jean Jacket // Suede Boots // Ray-Ban Mirrored Sunglasses // Sugarfix Tassel Earrings c/o

DC is currently experiencing a weird change of seasons where it's not gradually getting cooler and there's nothing in between... it's simply hot at 85 degrees or overcast and cloudy at 65. A lovely 20 degree difference that makes it really hard to dress for. The plus side of this? It's the perfect excuse to rock those cute summer dresses one last time! I love pairing them with boots or booties and add in my fall jackets to top it off. It gives the dress a totally new look, you're staying cool, yet you still look like a fall fashionista with stylish accessories!

I purchased these boots last summer (during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale) and they're perfect to take a bright colored dress through these strange temps. I love how versatile they are and they're incredibly comfortable to walk in because of the block heel. Top the look off with a jean jacket (that seriously goes with everything) and you're all set!

Of course I realize the irony that I'm drinking an iced matcha latte in these photos... the perfect summer drink in my mind. It was almost 80 when I took these photos in the afternoon but it was cooler in the morning - typical!

Love Always,

{winery sunset}

Photography by Laura

Forever 21 Poncho (similar, similar) // J.Crew V-neck T-shirt // Old Navy White Jeans // Joie Sandals // Baublebar Earrings c/o // Turquoise Bangle // Tortoise Shell Bangle // Clare Vivier Leopard Clutch // Mirrored Ray-Bans

I'm shocked at this weather... cold during the week but it's been sunny and warm on the weekends! There's still a breeze in the air so I love being able to throw a poncho or wrap over my shoulders. The thing I take the longest to put away this time of year? Sandals... I just can't help it. I would take open toed shoes with sweaters any day. This warm weather is also making me keep my white jeans out longer ;) rules were meant to be broken. I just balance out all the summery-ness with a dark green poncho on top.

I've fallen in love with these earrings especially! I love a good statement earring and these had me going all heart-eyed emoji the second I saw them. Perfect for a casual day at a winery with friends, dressed up for date night, or topping off a wedding look!

Love Always,

{bright red plaid}

Photography by Emily Smalling

Old Navy Chambray // Red Plaid Scarf, old (similar, similar, love this plaid) // Ripped Denim // Mirrored Ray-Ban Sunglasses // BP Trolley Bootie // NARS Lipstick in "Heat Wave"

I got this chambray shirt a couple of weeks ago and have been living in it... tied over a skirt and tights, under a sweater, worn open over a t-shirt, or just loose over a pair of black pants. I've been wearing a lot of neutral and dark colors this winter so when I found this scarf I knew it was perfect to add some bright color! I added my favorite red lip and blue sunglasses to up the ante as well :)

I just got back from NYFW Sunday night and it was SUCH an incredible trip... I can't wait to share everything with y'all - including an outfit that I shot on the coldest day in New York City history. Yeah, that happened. It. Was. Freezing. BUT, that didn't stop the fashion. I hope you guys followed along on Snapchat so you could feel like you were there with me!

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Love Always,